Tuesday, October 9, 2018

T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb; Dining Table and Chairs

Sometimes you just have to have it. This exquisite dining suite, by the incomparable T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, has had one owner since it was purchased in the early 1950's. The owner saw the set in a spread in House Beautiful and knew she had to have it. The designer, Terence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings was arguably the most important designer in America in the 1930's through the 1950's. After opening a shop on Madison Avenue in 1936, he became the designer of choice for such prominent Americans as tobacco heiress Doris Duke, Alfred A. Knopf and Thelma Chrysler Foy. His style would best be described as modern historicism. He was heavily influenced by Ancient Grecian design and the vocabulary of the classical world. That being said, his designs did, during his time, and still do feel fresh and completely modern. Some of his best known and most iconic pieces were produced during the time he worked as a designer for Widdicomb Furniture, from 1943-1956. There is a casual elegance and rich simplicity to his work during that period that few others have been able to achieve, but many have tried to copy. Gibbings designed this dining table and chairs for Widdicomb. The table has saber legs and a contrasting mahogany banded border. It is shown without any leaves but comes with two. The chairs have a rich blue, textured velvet upholstery and are extremely comfortable. Table; 68" l., 40" w., 29" h. Leaves; 18" each. Fully extended, 104" Arm chairs; 34" h., 23" w., 24" d. Sides; 34" h., 21" w., 24" d. American, c. 1950's SOLD
Condition: Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear. One chair leg has an older repair.